EC135 pitch horn in infusion technology

Abstract

In current dynamic parts on rotorcrafts, such as blades, the prepreg technology has been the primary the complete manufacturing process is easy to be followed via Quality Assurance (QA). To increase the in house created value and process quality validation, a LCM process for a critical part, the pitch horn of the EC135 main rotor blade, has been investigated via the research project PreCarBi and finally serialized. During the serialisation phase, as a prerequisite, the primary functions (transfer of loads and stiffness) of the pitch horn have to be maintained and all the attachment/junction areas must be mirrored to the existing prepreg part. Finally, all the qualification steps of part and materials, as well as the whole new process have to be performed. And in a serialisation phase the stability proven and the process implemented.